A treated cellulosic material comprising: a cellulosic material having a porous structure defining a plurality of pores, the cellulosic material comprising wood including wood or wood composite materials, at least a portion of the pores containing a treating agent comprising: a polymer comprising a water soluble polyol; and a modifying agent comprising a hydrophobic polyalkylene polyol. A method for preparing a treated cellulosic material comprising: providing a cellulosic material; a first treatment protocol comprising impregnating the cellulosic material with a polymer, the polymer comprising a water-soluble polyol; and a second treatment protocol comprising impregnating the cellulosic material with a modifying agent, the modifying agent comprising a hydrophobic polyalkylene polyol.

A treated cellulosic material comprising: a cellulosic material having a porous structure defining a plurality of pores, the cellulosic material comprising wood including wood or wood composite materials, at least a portion of the pores containing a treating agent comprising: a polymer comprising a water soluble polyol; and a modifying agent comprising a hydrophobic polyalkylene polyol. A method for preparing a treated cellulosic material comprising: providing a cellulosic material; a first treatment protocol comprising impregnating the cellulosic material with a polymer, the polymer comprising a water-soluble polyol; and a second treatment protocol comprising impregnating the cellulosic material with a modifying agent, the modifying agent comprising a hydrophobic polyalkylene polyol.

A treated cellulosic material comprising: a cellulosic material having a porous structure defining a plurality of pores, the cellulosic material comprising wood including wood or wood composite materials, at least a portion of the pores containing a treating agent comprising: a polymer comprising a water soluble polyol; and a modifying agent comprising a hydrophobic polymer. A method for preparing a treated cellulosic material comprising: providing a cellulosic material; a first treatment protocol comprising impregnating the cellulosic material with a solution comprising a polymer, the polymer comprising a water soluble polyol; and a second treatment protocol comprising impregnating the cellulosic material with a modifying agent, the modifying agent comprising a hydrophobic polymer dispersed in an aqueous dispersion.

A treated cellulosic material comprising: a cellulosic material having a porous structure defining a plurality of pores, the cellulosic material comprising wood including wood or wood composite materials, at least a portion of the pores containing a treating agent comprising: a polymer comprising a water soluble polyol; and a modifying agent comprising a hydrophobic polymer. A method for preparing a treated cellulosic material comprising: providing a cellulosic material; a first treatment protocol comprising impregnating the cellulosic material with a solution comprising a polymer, the polymer comprising a water soluble polyol; and a second treatment protocol comprising impregnating the cellulosic material with a modifying agent, the modifying agent comprising a hydrophobic polymer dispersed in an aqueous dispersion.

A super strong and tough densified wood structure is formed by subjecting a cellulose-based natural wood material to a chemical treatment that partially removes lignin therefrom. The treated wood retains lumina of the natural wood, with cellulose nanofibers of cell walls being aligned. The treated wood is then pressed in a direction crossing the direction in which the lumina extend, such that the lumina collapse and any residual fluid within the wood is removed. As a result, the cell walls become entangled and hydrogen bonds are formed between adjacent cellulose nanofibers, thereby improving the strength and toughness of the wood among other mechanical properties. By further modifying, manipulating, or machining the densified wood, it can be adapted to various applications.

A super strong and tough densified wood structure is formed by subjecting a cellulose-based natural wood material to a chemical treatment that partially removes lignin therefrom. The treated wood retains lumina of the natural wood, with cellulose nanofibers of cell walls being aligned. The treated wood is then pressed in a direction crossing the direction in which the lumina extend, such that the lumina collapse and any residual fluid within the wood is removed. As a result, the cell walls become entangled and hydrogen bonds are formed between adjacent cellulose nanofibers, thereby improving the strength and toughness of the wood among other mechanical properties. By further modifying, manipulating, or machining the densified wood, it can be adapted to various applications.

Provided is a wooden sheet having high flexibility (for example, folding resistance) and processability (for example, degree of processing freedom) even if the wooden sheet is considerably thick. Also provided is a method that can be used to produce such a wooden sheet. The wooden sheet is modified with a modifying agent including a combination of an acid or an alkali and a compound having a hydroxyl group.

Provided is a wooden sheet having high flexibility (for example, folding resistance) and processability (for example, degree of processing freedom) even if the wooden sheet is considerably thick. Also provided is a method that can be used to produce such a wooden sheet. The wooden sheet is modified with a modifying agent including a combination of an acid or an alkali and a compound having a hydroxyl group.

A method for treating a piece of wood impregnates the piece of wood with a water repellent, wherein the water repellent is solid at ambient temperatures. The method includes the steps of providing a piece of wood to be treated; heating the piece of wood for a predetermined period of time, the piece of wood being heated at a temperature A; subsequently immersing at least a portion of the piece of wood in a bath of liquefied water repellent, the bath being at a temperature B, for a predetermined period of time. Thereafter the piece of wood is removed from the bath and allowed to cool. The temperature A is above 100 C. and the temperature B is below 100 C. but above a liquefying point for the water repellent, and a differential between temperatures A and B is at least 60 C.

A method for treating a piece of wood impregnates the piece of wood with a water repellent, wherein the water repellent is solid at ambient temperatures. The method includes the steps of providing a piece of wood to be treated; heating the piece of wood for a predetermined period of time, the piece of wood being heated at a temperature A; subsequently immersing at least a portion of the piece of wood in a bath of liquefied water repellent, the bath being at a temperature B, for a predetermined period of time. Thereafter the piece of wood is removed from the bath and allowed to cool. The temperature A is above 100 C. and the temperature B is below 100 C. but above a liquefying point for the water repellent, and a differential between temperatures A and B is at least 60 C.